Why this test matters
The exact elemental composition of a metal determines its strength, corrosion resistance, weldability, and how it performs under load. When a batch of steel, aluminum, or another alloy doesn't match its specified composition, whether from a mix-up at the mill, an unverified supplier, or drift in a coating or 3D-printing process, the resulting part can fall short of mechanical or safety requirements with no visible warning sign. Chemical analysis confirms exactly which elements are present and in what quantity, so you catch composition issues before they become part failures. Companies working with steel, stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron, copper, or nickel rely on this test to verify incoming material, validate suppliers, or confirm the composition of coated and 3D-printed metal parts.
How the test works
The test uses Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectrometry (GDOES). Your sample is positioned in a spectrometer and bombarded with argon ions in a controlled glow discharge, which releases light from the sample's surface. Each element emits light at its own specific wavelength, and photomultipliers capture that light and convert it into an electrical signal used to calculate the exact amount of each element present. You provide a test piece of at least 18 by 18 mm, or 18 mm in diameter and 2 mm thick. If your part is too large to fit as is, we machine a suitable sample from it in our own workshop first.
What you learn from this test
You receive a full quantitative breakdown of your material's elemental composition, alloying elements and residuals included. This tells you whether your material matches its intended grade or specification, lets you compare batches or suppliers, and helps you trace the root cause when a part underperforms or fails. Because composition is often the first thing to check when something goes wrong, this test gives you a fast, reliable basis for accepting or rejecting incoming material, qualifying a supplier, or documenting compliance.
